A Visit to Jean-Charles Rochoux Chocolate Shop in Paris (Video)

I snuck my way into the workshop of master Paris chocolatier Jean-Charles Rochoux. When asked which is the best chocolate shop in Paris, it’s hard to pick just one, but his boutique is at the top of my short list. Each chocolate is hand-crafted in the kitchen just below the shop, where a small team of chocolatiers and Monsieur Rochoux dip, sculpt, mold, and enrobe his superb confections. I always insist that visitors don’t leave Paris without at least one jar of Hazelnut Praline Paste in their suitcase. It’s life-changing.

Here’s a video of my visit to his shop and kitchen, where Monsieur Rochoux tempts with tablets of chocolate embedded with caramelized nuts, chocolates filled with nut pastes, liquors, and spices, and gives me a peek at some of his whimsical sculptures, created from pure French chocolate.

My name is Marie and I am writing with the hope of taking a cooking class from you. I realize that this is a very extraordinary and unsolicited request, however one of the most important things that I’ve realized in life is that in most cases there is nothing to lose from asking a question or request, and everything to gain (your wonderful charm and knowledge in this case). So, this is me, asking, with the purest intentions and hope that you might be willing to take a day to teach my mother and me some of the beauty and joy of French cooking while in Paris.

I grew up in the neighborhood of Linden Hills in Minneapolis, Minnesota where I developed my passion for food from the abundance of farmers markets, the both established and budding food scene, and my parents’ enjoyment of food. I now attend Northeastern University in Boston, completing my undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies & Economics. Food is still a passion in my life – I make it a priority to explore new cuisines and try new baking a cooking techniques. (My latest accomplishment is macarons by hand. As a cheap and on-the-move college student that hasn’t found a reason to invest in even a hand-mixer I spent twenty minutes beating the egg whites to stiff peaks, enchanted every minute by the wonders of the egg white structure. The results and satisfaction derived from my hand-made macarons were worth the arm ache to be sure.) My mother also majored in Economics, but somehow found her way into the life of patisserie as a professional pastry chef and now food stylist. We are both very passionate about food – the joy of grocery shopping and wandering open air farmers markets, the wonder of science in baking, afternoons spent reading cookbooks, and of course the pure pleasure from enjoying a delicious pastry.

My mother and I are planning to travel to Paris in early July and had pondered the thought of taking a cooking class. As an avid reader of your books and blog, I had imagined how amazing it would be to spend a day cooking with you. And then I thought what if we really did. Would you be at all interested in this possibility? With the sincerest hope and anticipation, I look forward to hearing from you.

I don’t do individual classes or tours but someone recommended La Cuisine in the comments (below), who I agree are very good. If you would like to have a class in someone’s home, Paule Caillat of Promenades Gourmandes is recommended. For culinary tours, I recommend Paris by Mouth. Have a good trip!

Marie Michl

May 23, 2016 2:20pm

Thanks you so much for your suggestions!!

Pamala

June 8, 2016 1:37am

Marie, my grand daughter and I took a macaron class at Le Cuisine and found it very instructional, the i structure was charming and effective. I highly recommend them as I will definitely schedule with them when I am again in Paris.

Ellen A.

June 8, 2016 2:13am

That’s wonderful to hear, Pamala. I’ll give them a try when next in Paris too! Keep encouraging Marie and her cooking talents.

Linda B.

May 18, 2016 4:57pm

Love that place! I try to go there every time I go to Paris now. Thanks for introducing it to me David.

I went to Ecole Lenôtre outside of Paris, Ecole de Grand Chocolat Valrhona, and Callebaut College in Weize, Belgium (which they now call Chocolate Academy). The schools are primarily for professionals but they may also have some classes for others.

Vicki Ford

May 18, 2016 5:39pm

David, I love your video visit with Jean-Charles. I load up my bags with his chocolate treats every time I visit Paris. An added bonus is being able to order some of his chocolates by mail. Thank you for keeping us so well informed about the shops in Paris.

Bev

May 18, 2016 5:48pm

I am definitely visiting this shop on my next trip to Paris. Thanks for sharing this great video.

BAIRD NUCKOLLS

May 18, 2016 6:04pm

David, I love having a first hand view of your Paris. Please keep making videos. But you need to work on your tasting face. You looked a little pained while eating those delicious chocolates. I’m sure they tasted fabulous

Really enjoyed the video – it makes a girl want to buy a ticket to Paris on the double! ; ) And I can almost taste those chocolates and pralines watching you eat them. Thanks for the fun!

lilia

May 18, 2016 6:27pm

Thank you David! Now I have a video visit in between my trips to Paris. I never leave without stopping by to see Monsieur Rochoux. We always have a nice chat while I wait for my boxes. He is such a nice man besides being one of the best chocolatiers in Paris!

He is a sweet guy and it took me a while to pronounce his last name correctly. It was sort of a joke between us. I tried to get him to come to my kitchen and make a recipe for my last book but he was too shy. I’ll try to get him for the next one…!

Claire

May 18, 2016 6:29pm

I absolutely loved watching this, David, I cannot wait to go to Paris next year! Please make more videos, while I love your writing, a video has such a fantastic feel to it!

For Marie M.: If David cannot meet with you and your mom, bear in mind that there are several informal cooking schools that offer classes in English. Best to book in advance. You can check the calendar for this one here: http://lacuisineparis.com/product/classes (I am not affiliated with them in any way). I’m sure you can find others as well. Enjoy your trip! David: Thank you so much for providing the occasional video. It’s terrific to walk with you into some of these shops! Why settle for a chocolate bunny when you can have a wild boar or a hunting dog?

Deborah W.

May 18, 2016 7:00pm

Ah, happy memories of October. Thank you, David. And as for “tasting face”, I wouldn’t worry. Most likely during our most ecstactic moments whatever the inspiration, most of us are less than facebook ready. What comes through is the pure enjoyment…

I have a friend who is a tv star and he’s perfected the art of eating for the camera. I guess I need to take lessons from him! : )

Roberta

May 18, 2016 7:11pm

The visit to Jean-Charles Rochoux’s chocolate shop was one of the highlights to my Paris visit last October–Monsieur Rochoux was so kind. And the dark chocolate hazelnut bars are absolutely amazing!

David, I’ve been saving my jar of Hazelnut Praline paste and wondered if you have any favorite “preparations” besides by the spoonful? ;-)

Deborah W.

May 18, 2016 8:10pm

Hello Roberta!

I was surprised by how relatively “large” the workshop looks on video. I remember us taking a winding narrow staircase down and being amazed by the amount of production from such a tiny space. I think our take home Rochoux products were all consumed in bed in Switzerland as we recovered from colds. Even then, the intensity of flavor came through loud and clear. Best Regards, Deborah W.

Roberta

May 18, 2016 10:19pm

Hi Deborah!

Yes, it was amazing how we all were able to fit into that small space. (Although at times it did feel like an intricate ballet, as we danced out of the chocolatiers’ way!) It would be nice to connect up with you and Larry for a nice meal–send me an email? Best, Roberta

Deborah W.

May 19, 2016 12:42am

Oh Roberta,

My beloved turns 70 on Friday so he’s about to be whisked away by me. I will email you next week as we’d both love to see you (and I need time to find your email addy). David, my apologies for turning your site into classmates.com; I promise to take the rest of this offline. Really, it’s not our fault that you provide such a wonderful experience for folks to bond ;) . See you soon, Roberta.

Best Regards, Deborah W.

Chandana

May 18, 2016 7:40pm

Wow!!!! Love seeing the chocolate store. On my list .. if/when we get to Paris :)

Tristan

May 18, 2016 8:09pm

Great video.

ELENA

May 18, 2016 9:06pm

Nice, very nice, a real pleasure “to be” there. Thank you very much!

Bob

May 19, 2016 3:24am

David is looking like a proper Parisian. Dressed in black.

Christy

May 19, 2016 4:11am

I visited the shop of Monsieur Rochoux and also met him, after I found it mentioned in one of your lists. And of course I mentioned that your blog brought me there. I brought home some hazelnut praline paste and managed to savor it for several weeks until my spoon began scraping the bottom of the glass. For this and other reasons, I realize it’s time for another trip to France.

Gavrielle

May 19, 2016 7:46am

Utterly enchanting – that oval! And what a pleasure to hear him say “chocolatier”. It bruises my ears when English speakers say “chocolaTEER”, like they’re chocolate pirates or something.

Maria

May 19, 2016 9:55am

If you could only eat at one restaurant in Paris which one would it be?

Keep the videos coming ….So enjoyable – for us as well as for you! Those chocolates look scrumptious. Thanks David.

Joy F

Kathryn Phelan

May 19, 2016 10:00pm

I did a stage with Jean-Charles for 4 months as part of my graduation from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. He is a wealth of knowledge on chocolate, very gregarious and passionate! It has been quite some time since visiting Paris, so thank you for a glimpse back into my former work! Glad to see he’s cheerfull as ever. Those almonds are dangerous!

naomi d.

May 19, 2016 10:07pm

Those animals are incredible. They flew by too fast in the video but perhaps that is better, as I can’t go over the ocean just yet. Wonderful as always.

Tammy

May 19, 2016 10:15pm

Salivating! Can’t wait to return to Paris….another place to add to my must-do list!

I’ve always wanted to travel to Paris but now I specifically want to visit a chocolatier! In the meantime, I’ll enjoy listening to how lovely it sounds to hear a Frenchman describe his chocolates.

Denise (from Brasil)

May 23, 2016 3:29am

David…I imagine how much lovely must be to live in Paris with all these wonderful places to visit. Your blog is a great inspiration.

Thank you!

Nancy H.

May 23, 2016 6:25pm

Dear David, I am just popping in here to thank you. I was feeling a little down when I woke up this morning, and I thought “Oh, I know, I’ll take a look at the David Lebovitz blog”. I did so, and was immediately lifted up. You are such a wonderful spirit. The way you present your food and life adventures is just so life affirming, enjoyable, and inspiring. Even if I won’t necessarily make the item presented that day (and everything I have made from your books is wonderful thanks to your dedicated study of what works best), I will still go forward with a mission to just enjoy the heck out of life. You have a way of creating the spirit of “joie de vivre” (sp?), and I wanted to heartily thank you. Thank you!!! for yet another springboard to a more beautiful and enjoyed day!

Nancy H.

May 23, 2016 6:27pm

corrected email

Susan Litman

May 23, 2016 6:42pm

Love seeing the video–always wonderful to see your in-person tours of your favorite places in Paris and get these behind-the-scenes views of the kitchens. And of course, your reactions to great sweets are always fun to see. Thanks so much and would love to see more of these!

Bebe

May 23, 2016 7:38pm

Loving living vicariously through you, David. What a wonderful chocolate shop. I would have to avoid it… or pounds and pounds and pounds.

Off-topic, but just received a notice that Dorie Greenspan’s Paris Sweets cookbook is on special at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iTunes for only $1.99.